Royal Entanglement

As Long As You Love Me

Prince Xander slowly let go of Charlotte, then cupped her cheeks in his hands. "I need to untie a knot, and after that, I will come to you."

She nodded, moving closer to him, and she brought one hand to slowly remove his hand from her cheek. She then moved it to her lips and placed a small kiss on the inside of his palm.

He let out a small breath, then smiled at her as she looked up to him.

"As long as you love me, Your Highness."

He let his eyes dart across both of hers, his mind sinking with the realization that if in seven days he did not think of a solution, he might never be able to prove his affection for her.

He nodded slowly, then brought the back of her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on it. With one last smile, he turned away, leaving her to take the back route to the servants' quarters.

Lady Sophia woke with the first rays of sunshine, her mission for the day driving any sleep out of her eyes. She had seen Diana once more, and it had only fueled her to crave revenge more, to come between those two more.

"My lady. I see you are awake."

She nodded. "Get the horses ready. We should be on our way in at least, an hour."

Paul nodded, then left the chambers. She smiled as she ran her hands on the deep red silk and lace dress, one that had actually been one of Diana's many gifts to her.

She smiled a little, her hands feeling the fabric like it was the very skin of her own sister.

"He will not forget you, Diana. I will make sure of that."

"Your Highness!" A servant said, bowing a little in front of Prince Xander's chambers.

Prince Xander had just come out of the large bath house, his hair still wet. "What is it?"

"Lady Lisette has returned. She suddenly came back as early as the first rays of the sun, and immediately went on to occupy the Crown Princess's chambers."

Prince Xander's brows furrowed in confusion. "She occupied the Crown princess's chambers? How dare she when even I, still reside in the Palace of Royal Princes?"

The servant went silent for a while, before he spoke again. "I can not quite say, Your Highness. But His Majesty has been informed. He did not look pleased about the development."

"Probably, the Prime Minister should be called upon to tame his daughter. I do not have the leisure to deal with erring ladies of convention."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Prince Xander gave a low breath, then resorted to not leaving his chambers or even his palace today. He did not think he could handle the royal drama that would happen in the Grand palace, and chose the peace and quiet of his own space instead.

Lady Sophia made her way slowly to the stone wall surrounding the palace, her hair straight and shiny as it fell down her back gracefully. The red dress hugged her bodice modestly, then fell into a large assemblage of silk down to her feet.

She had learnt of the things that appealed to His Majesty, and surprisingly, there were mostly things she took an interest in.

"Halt! Identify yourself!"

She gave a low sigh as Paul rode forward, then thrust the signed pass that Prince Xander had given to her.

The guard examined it, then raised his hand. Two others slowly pushed and opened the gate, allowing then to pass.

Slowly, they rode forward. Lady Sophia confidently made her way to the hall of commoners, the part of the palace where people waited to see the king. Luckily for her, it was empty, as most people preferred to submit petitions now.

"I have come to see His Majesty, the king." She said simply to the attending servant.

His eyes widened, before he bowed, then slowly walked away.

King Owen was seething with barely confined rage when the servant came in to inform him. Even though he found it bothersome, he sent for her to be allowed in. He normally never did, but since she was just one woman, he believed he could make an exception.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Lady Sophia said, as she fell into a flourishing bow, her forehead almost touching the clean floors.

"Greetings. Tell me. Why have you come to see me?"

She raised her head a little, and a small smile spread her face.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Prince Xander straightened from the book of astronomy he had been reading, his brows furrowed. Was there some trouble that needed his immediate attention?

"Come in!" He ushered, standing up from his position to enter the main chambers.

He met a bowing, breathless servant who was only barely keeping himself afloat.

"Your Highness! His majesty has requested to see you in the Grand palace immediately!"

"Immediately? But His Majesty never asks for me personally unless if there is some sort of trouble. Tell me."

The servant swallowed. "There is no such trouble, Your Highness."

Prince Xander clasped his hands behind him, the simple robe he had worn over a more casual pair of slacks opening up in the middle, the tanned skin of his chest and chiseled stomach highlighted by the fabric.

"But, Your Highness..." The servant said again, causing Prince Xander to turn to him.

"Speak."

"There is a woman with His Majesty. She had come earlier to talk to him about...Your Highness."

Prince Xander felt a little faint as he struggled to register it. A woman who had come to talk about him? Lady Sophia? It has only been a week, had he somehow forgotten to keep count?

He shook his head, and without properly acknowledging the servant, he broke into a run, his opened robe flying around him.

"Your Highness! You are not properly dressed!" The servant said after him, but Prince Xander did not care.

He ran though the halls, then the short flower path that led to the Grand palace. It was eerily quiet, and it only served to frustrate him more.

He started to run again, attracting stares from the maids, servants and the court ladies, including Charlotte who was also on her way to serve the King breakfast snacks to go with his habitual tea.

He broke through the door, his hair disheveled, no jewelry in sight, the robe around him mostly open to reveal a beautiful view of his toned body.

"Your majesty!"

King Owen and Lady Sophia both looked up at the same time, each with a cup of tea close to their lips.

"Prince Xander...why do you look so unkempt?"

Lady Sophia smiled. "He probably did not want me to tell you this first, that is why he is in such a hurry. Your Majesty, His highness..."

"She is the woman I want to marry!" Prince Xander said, breathless, his eyes wide.

The entire hall grew quiet, until the loud sound of scattering silver and shattering glass sliced through it.